Martinez Fischer eyeing Congress?

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, the San Antonio Democrat who heads the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, didn’t exactly slam the door when asked whether he might run for Congress himself at a political forum hosted by the University of Texas’ James Henson.

“I’ll put it to you this way. Filing deadline is not until Friday,” said Martinez Fischer.

As he talked on, he didn’t sound like such a run was imminent, but that it might be a possibility down the road. He noted that he’s got a young family and he appreciates the fact that the state capital’s a relatively short drive from San Antonio.

“It’s hard to have a bad day in Austin … But when I do have a bad day …. I put a CD in my car. By the time I get to track 15, I’m pulling into my driveway in San Antonio. There’s something to be said about that, being close to home,” he said.

“I have a 3 year old. I have a 19 month old. And I have a wife that’s very difficult to not be around,” he said. “So that’s what’s important to me right now.”

As for political ambition, he said, “I’ll know when the time comes. As long as I feel like I’m productive where I’m at, I’m not itching to be anywhere anytime soon. As you know, in politics, most of it is timing. And when that time comes,. whether it be by Friday or two years from now or five years from now ….”

Martinez Fischer noted that there are “some big challenges here in the state of Texas” and said that it will be only “a matter of time” before MALC formally intervenes in the Voter ID lawsuit in Washington.

He also said he’s authorized MALC’s counsel to “have conversations on public school finance.” And it remains a key player in redistricting.

“Whether you do it as a minority or you do it as a Democrat – what you are denied on the floor of the House, everybody is equal in the courtroom,” Martinez Fischer said, expressing a desire to see such projects through.

If Martinez Fischer did run for Congress this time, it would likeliest be in District 35.

Longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin already has set his sights on the district, which is anchored in San Antonio, and Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Romo has announced for it.

Martinez Fischer noted he saw many Romo signs Tuesday, and he added, “Congressman Doggett yesterday called me on a cell phone that has a San Antonio area code. So it sounds like to me he’s in it for the long haul.”

Asked if he expects the next Legislature to again take up redistricting in light of the legal challenges, he said, “You know, I hope so.

“I’m in the Capitol, and I run into some of my friends, and they’ll tell me, ‘Well, you know, what you did. We’re just going to come back next session and redraw them,’” he said. ““I’m like yeah, you know that that’s got to be pre-cleared too, right?”